Modeling Electrochemical Performance of the Hierarchical Morphology of Precious Group Metal-free Cathode for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

Komini Babu, Siddharth; Chung, Hoon Taek; Zelenay, Piotr; Litster, Shawn

doi:10.1149/2.0041712jes

Modeling Electrochemical Performance of the Hierarchical Morphology of Precious Group Metal-free Cathode for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

Journal Article · Fri Aug 04 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0041712jes· OSTI ID:1394979

^[1]; ^[2]; ^[2]; Litster, Shawn ^[3]

Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA (United States). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA (United States). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

Here, this paper presents a two-dimensional (2D) computational model of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) with a platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) catalyst cathode that can significantly reduce PEFC costs by eliminating the need for expensive platinum catalysts. Due to their comparatively low volumetric activity, PGM-free cathodes are an order of magnitude thicker than their Pt-based counterpart. The resulting need for greater electrode thickness to achieve sufficient power density requires careful attention to the transport losses across the thicker cathodes. The presented model is used to correlate the composition and morphology of the cathode to PEFC performance. The model is a complete cell, continuum model that includes an advanced agglomerate model for a microstructurally consistent representation of the cathode. A unique feature of the approach is the integration of morphology and transport parameter statistics extracted from nano-scale resolution X-ray computed tomography (nano-CT) imaging of PGM-free cathodes. The model was validated with experimental results of PGM-free cathodes with varying Nafion loading. Lastly, our key findings are a need for increased cathode hydrophobicity and increased ionomer conductivity through either reduced tortuosity or increased bulk conductivity. We further use the model to evaluate targets for the volumetric activity and active site density for future catalysts.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Fuel Cell Technologies Program (EE-3F)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC52-06NA25396

OSTI ID:: 1394979

Report Number(s):: LA-UR-17-24482

Journal Information:: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 164; ISSN 0013-4651

Publisher:: The Electrochemical SocietyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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